Category Archives: Review

lenses, Review, Sony E-mount

Review: Sony FE 100 f/2.8 STF GM OSS Lens

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Introduction:

The Sony FE 100 f/2.8 STF GM OSS lens is a lens that I purchased some time ago not really knowing what to expect. I had read about the lens, of course, but frankly I found that it took me some time to get an understanding of how best to use this lens. I think it is a very fine optic with excellent sharpness and anextraordinarily smooth quality of bokeh, however, it is also a lens that imposes a steeper than normal learning curve.  It has a distinctive look in some situations that seems to be polarizing in the photo community.  With use, I have come to like this lens very much and don’t plan on parting with mine anytime soon.  In this review, I will attempt to explain why I like it and also some of its quirks so that prospective buyers might have a better idea about what to expect.

A few samples:

F2.8
F2.8
F2.8

 

F2.8

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lenses, Minolta SR mount, Review

Long-term Review: Minolta MC Rokkor 1:1.2 58mm

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The Minolta MC 1.2/58 is probably Minolta’s most famous lens and a personal favorite of mine. In this in-depth review I have a close look at the Minolta’s qualities and also at its weaknesses.

Image Samples

You can find most images shown in the review in full resolution in this Minolta MC 1.2/58 flickr album.

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Accessories, Adapters, Review

Review: Laowa Magic Shift Converter 17mm 4.0

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Introduction

laowa magic shift converter msc m.s.c. review 17mm 4.0 12mm 2.8 architecture correction perspective
Sony A7rII with Laowa Magic Shift Converter and 12mm 2.8 Zero-D lens

You ask what the heck a Magic Shift Converter is? This is a 1.4x tele converter for wide angle lenses and adds ±10mm shift movement. It for example turns Laowa’s 12mm 2.8 in a 17mm 4.0 ±10mm shift lens. In this review you will find out how this can be useful and what the influence on the image quality of the master lens is.

Sample Images

laowa magic shift converter msc m.s.c. review 17mm 4.0 12mm 2.8 architecture correction perspective sample image
Sony A7rII | Laowa 12mm 2.8 Zero-D on Magic Shift Converter | f/8.0
laowa magic shift converter msc m.s.c. review 17mm 4.0 12mm 2.8 architecture correction perspective sample image
Sony A7rII | Laowa 12mm 2.8 Zero-D on Magic Shift Converter | f/8.0
laowa magic shift converter msc m.s.c. review 17mm 4.0 12mm 2.8 architecture correction perspective sample image
Sony A7rII | Laowa 12mm 2.8 Zero-D on Magic Shift Converter | f/4.0

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Leica R-mount, lenses, Review

Review: Leica APO-Elmarit-R 2.8/180

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Phillip was kind enough to ask me to write a review of one of my favorite lenses: The Leica R Apo-Elmarit 180mm/F2.8 E67.

I love this lens because it is optically excellent from wide open,  lacks field curvature, has pleasing rendering, is well corrected, is small enough to comfortably hand hold, and is bright enough at F2.8 to use even in less than optimal light.  I use this lens on Sony because there is no comparable native lens available.

It has been called the world’s best medium telephoto lens. While I cannot confirm or deny this claim, it is indeed a very fine optic in my experience. As will be seen below, it has many virtues and few weaknesses.

Sample Images

Images shown in this review can be found here in higher resolution.

F2.8
F2.8 or 4
F4

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Contax G-Mount, lenses, Review, Zeiss C/Y mount

REVIEW: Carl ZEISS 28mm f/2.8 Biogon T* + 1.5m pcx filter

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The Contax G 28mm Biogon was considered one of the best 28mm available on film, but suffers serious issues on digital due to sensor cover glass. Can a simple filter make the lens a competitive performer on Sony cameras? Find out below.

I have shot this lens for years on the Sony A7 and more recently with a PCX filter and then on a Kolari UT modded A7. Unless otherwise noted, all of the tests in this review were performed on a Sony A7RII with a reversed 1.5m PCX filter on the lens (Thanks again to Nehemiah for lending me the A7RII). Check captions on sample pictures to see what camera was used. Bonus: The Contax G 28mm Biogon is both Phillip and my favorite lens on aps-c cameras, so I will also add a second installment later reviewing the lens for aps-c provocatively titled How the A6000 + Contax G 28/2.8 is better than an RX1.

Sample Images

Sony A7 | Carl Zeiss Contax G 28mm f/2.8 Biogon | f/2.8
Sony A7 | Carl Zeiss Contax G 28mm f/2.8 Biogon | f/8
Sony A7 | Carl Zeiss Contax G 28mm f/2.8 Biogon | f/11
Sony A7 | Carl Zeiss Contax G 28mm f/2.8 Biogon | f/11

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